Stefan’s story follows the same format as Reni’s does—first person until the very end (see “Insight”). His childhood isn’t described in nearly as much detail, because the tragedy in his past doesn’t start until he’s in his teens. One difference is that the paragraphs in italics are memories; sort of like flashbacks. I greatly appreciate comments/constructive crit, if you can take the time out to give some. I mean, if you’ve had time to read this then surely you have a few seconds to drop a few words for me? In any case, I hope you enjoy the story.

One song to best describe Stefan: “Hide and Seek” by Imogen Heap. If you want an explanation of why, e-mail me or review and tell me so, I’ll be happy to provide you with one.

If I take any piece of knowledge with me to the grave, it won’t be some thousand-year-old secret that’s been passed down the family line for generations. No, it will be something much more personal and much more widely applied to this small little part of the world, this species I am that’s called human.

We are not infallible.

I asked Reni what defined a human being once; back when he’d just gotten into DARIET…Do you think you have an answer for me? I said. He frowned at me for the longest time before he went back to staring out the window. I don’t know, he said.

He told me that he’d never really thought about it, he just knew he was a human. I guess…I guess none of us ever really think about what it means to be human. Humans are advanced animals. We’ve learned to do whatever we have to in order to cope with what’s thrown at us. I should know; my home life wasn’t the greatest. God, it tore me apart. You have no idea. I’m sitting here smiling at the memories but they weren’t always happy. When I wasn’t finding a little bit of peace, I was sick and sobbing from the bad stuff, with my heart on my sleeve and my head in my hands. I left my loved ones behind because I thought I was strong enough. I left my life behind, hell that it was, to start another one and try to fix myself. Shit; I was only nineteen.

...

It kind of sounds stupid now, sitting here telling you this, because I doubt you were there. You know what I’m talking about, but you don’t know what I’m talking about. Does that make any sense? …Probably not. Never mind, just keep drawing your caricatures on the paper; it’s not important unless you want to understand me. No big deal.

Quit looking at me like that, seriously. I can’t talk about my life with your eyes reminding me of…her.

Okay; okay. Fine, no more stalling. I’m tired; I’ll just get on with it. Here goes....